A. Schrader’s Son

In 1840 a young mechanic named August Schrader arrived in New York from Hamburg, Germany. By the spring of 1844 he had saved enough money to purchase some machinery, and open a shop at 115 John Street in Manhattan. He was a maker of daguerreotype apparatus. Shortly after he went into partnership with Christian Baecher, who was a turner, a finisher of brass.

In 1846 Schrader took interest in an underwater race between divers off the battery in Lower Manhattan and after inspecting the diver’s equipment, he was convinced that he could improve the design, and manufacturing of the helmets. By 1849 had Schrader produced two helmets and sold them to the Union India Rubber Co. of New York for $12.00 each and in January 1850 Schrader sold the same company an air pump for $25.00.

By 1887, Schrader was in partnership with his son George.  August retired in 1892, two years before his death. In 1892 George received a patent for a valve for pneumatic tires, and by 1904 the company was incorporated.  In 1913 the company moved to Brooklyn, NY. In 1930, A. Schrader’s Son, Inc. became a subsidiary of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, with offices worldwide.   In 1952, Scovill sold the A. Schrader’s Son, Inc. rights, trademark and tooling, drawings, etc. to Craftsweld Equipment Corporation, of Long Island City, NY.  Craftsweld continued to produce Schrader helmets and other diving equipment, electing to use their brand name only.  In 1999, Craftsweld sold the A. Schrader’s Son, Inc. business to Ray Mathieson, owner of Atlantic Diving Equipment Company, located in Bowie, MD.  With Ray’s untimely passing in 2016, A. Schrader’s Son, Inc. found a new home and owner in Bucks County, PA.

To be considered a US NAVY MK II, the helmet must be a 4-light  Schrader 5-bolt with communications installed.

A Schrader MKV modified for use in the California abalone industry.